Resident and commenters urge rejection of rezoning proposal for Alfred Beckman Middle School site

A public hearing on the rezoning of the Alfred Beckman Middle School site was announced to the Gary Common Council and drew criticism from at least one resident who urged the council and community to oppose the proposal.

Carolyn McCrady, a resident and public commenter at the Feb. 18 meeting, told the council a public hearing is scheduled for Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in the council chambers and urged people to attend. “I want to talk to you about a public hearing that's going to be held on the rezoning of the Alfred Beckman Middle School this Thursday in this council chambers at 03:30,” she said.

McCrady said the city’s plan director described a proposed rewrite of the zoning code for the site that would permit a broad set of uses — manufacturing, logistics and offices — and characterized the proposal as inconsistent with neighborhood interests. “It's a ridiculous proposal. I'll use that word,” McCrady said, urging residents to show up and oppose the rezoning.

Nut graf: McCrady and other commenters said the rezoning request broadens allowable uses on the former school site in ways they view as potentially incompatible with surrounding neighborhoods; the public hearing is the formal opportunity to register objections to the application.

The meeting transcript also shows prior remarks urging early legislative monitoring and attention to the airport issue; McCrady thanked council members for considering a legislative-tracking committee. The council did not take immediate action on the rezoning at the Feb. 18 meeting; the public hearing is the next scheduled procedural step.

Ending: The hearing will be held in the Gary Common Council chambers; residents who wish to voice objections were encouraged to attend.